Our biggest and best yet...

In Canada's Wine Country

"metabridge is becoming Canada’s place for emerging technology companies to connect to the Silicon Valley and beyond."

Since 2008 metabridge has evolved from a single-day 30 person event in Kelowna BC, to an annual program directly engaging hundreds of technology stakeholders across Western North America. Through focused and collaborative relationships, emerging technology companies are able to establish connections into the Silicon Valley, providing them with the opportunity to grow their business beyond Canada.

The 4th annual metabridge retreat will feature two days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in California’s Bay Area and exciting VIP hospitality events hosted in one of the world’s foremost wine regions.

From pitch breakout sessions, to fun outdoor activities, metabridge is changing the conference game ... it's Canada’s place for top startups to make connections with the Silicon Valley and beyond.

Community Futures Central Okanagan is pleased to announce a new youth entrepreneurship program entitled Youth Mean Business. The program is targeted at youth aged 18-29 who are unemployed and not Employment Insurance (EI) eligible and have not had an EI claim for the past three years (5 years if maternity claim). Those that are accepted into the program can expect:

KELOWNA - Helping unemployed young people create new businesses and new jobs. That's the focus of an innovative, new government program being administered in the Kelowna area by Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Okanagan.

Under the program, Community Futures has been awarded $212,500 to help 25 local youth develop their business ideas and entrepreneurial skills. The project is part of a new $1.65-million pilot program introduced by the B.C. government and funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement.

The Youth Skills BC - Entrepreneurship Pilot Program is designed to assist unemployed youth (ages 15 to 29) who are non-Employment Insurance clients. It will support young people by enhancing their entrepreneurial, employability and occupational skills through the development of a formal business plan, mentorship and training.

Small businesses across British Columbia now have a free, comprehensive resource to boost their business-planning efforts and foster an online community of information and support, thanks to the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at the University of British Columbia.

The Small Business Accelerator, which launches today at www.sba-bc.ca, is a new gateway to business information for small firms and entrepreneurs throughout the province. It's also a valuable tool for public and college libraries, community development organizations and other agencies to support their clients.